Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Which Camera Is Better For You?

At the end of this article, you’ll have all the information necessary to make a proper decision between the Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2. Both of these cameras are regarded as affordable mirrorless travel cameras. That will make for a very interesting comparison today.

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Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2
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During the course of this article, we would look at the features, the pros, and the cons, of these two cameras. We would also look at how the wo brands that produce these cameras measure up to each other.

From what we’ve said, we’re sure that you’ve gathered that this is going to be quite a lengthy article. If you do not have the time to read through the whole article, check out the comparison overview below.

Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Comparison Overview

Both of the cameras in this Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 comparison article are good, well affordable, travel cameras. Looking at their overall features, neither of these cameras leans one way or the other, their features are well-rounded and give you all you need in a travel camera.

The sensor resolution on these cameras are good enough. They’ll get you really sharp photos and videos. However, looking at the Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2, the Sony a5100 better with it’s 24-megapixel sensor resolution, as opposed to the Fujifilm XA2 that comes with just 16 megapixels.

When it comes to ease of use, it all comes down to personal preference. The Sony a5100 is more digital, coming with a touchscreen feature that lets you navigate through the camera’s settings with ease. On the other hand, the Fujifilm XA2 is more tactile. It comes with all the buttons, dials and switches you need, around the body of the camera. Once mastered, you might never need to go into the camera’s settings.

The low-light situation for these two cameras is also like the ease of use, it’s down to preference. The Sony a5100 has a wide range ISO range, while the Fujifilm XA2 features an external flash shoe.

Looking at the cost to performance ratio, both of these cameras are spot on. They’re similarly priced, although the Fujifilm XA2 is more affordable. Really great economic value, if you ask us.

Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Brand Comparison

Looking at these two brands, there’s obviously no contest. Sony is regarded as the biggest brand in the mirrorless industry, and that is without contest.

However, one of the beauties of the mirrorless industry is that other brands are catching up. Brands like Fujifilm are creating really great mirrorless cameras that are really affordable.

So, if you’re a person who buys a product because it’s from a big brand, then consider getting the Sony a5100. However, if you’re more open-minded and don’t mind something equal in quality, but from a smaller brand, then the Fujifilm XA2 is a very good option for you.

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Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Comparison Of Key Features

 

Sony a5100

Fujifilm XA2

Released Date 1st September, 2014. 15th February, 2015.
Maximum Sensor Resolution 24 Megapixels 16 Megapixels
Continuous Shooting Rate 6.0 5.5
Touchscreen Yes No
ISO 100 – 25,600 200 – 6400
External Flash Hot Shoe No Yes
NFC Yes NO
Weight 283g 350g
AE Bracketing +/- 3 EV +/- EV
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Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – What Scenario Is Each Camera Better For?

Sony a5100

Fujifilm XA2

Both of these cameras are best at being travel cameras. They’re lightweight, portable, and compact. Despite their small sizes, these cameras produce really good images, which is what you need to capture those beautiful moments on your journey. This camera is also a lovely travel camera. Travel cameras are built in a way that they’re small, compact, portable, but still very functional. This camera is something you can carry with you on the go, without having to worry too much about where to place it after use.
When it comes to shooting in low-light, both of these cameras come with different advantages. For the Sony a5100, you get a wider ISO range. The higher the ISO, the more light sensitivity for your camera. this is what creates good low-light photos. For the Fujifilm XA2, you do not get such a wide ISO range. However, what you get, is an external flash shoe. With this, you can connect your camera to provide the extra light for your camera.
   
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Before we begin to look at the features of these cameras in detail, we want you to watch the video below. It’s a brief look at all the main features of these two cameras and how they measure up to each other.

Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Features Common To Both Cameras

Although both of these cameras are made by different brands, they are both mirrorless cameras and travel cameras. Because of that, it doesn’t come as a surprise to us that these two cameras come with a lot of similarities.

In this section of this Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 comparison article, we would be looking at those common features. In some of these features, there would be a slight difference/differences in the implementation with these two cameras.


They’re Both Mirrorless Cameras

The first, and the biggest similarity between these two cameras is that they are both mirrorless cameras. Being mirrorless cameras is one of the reasons why these two cameras- Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 can be made to be as portable and compact as they are. You can hardly find DSLR cameras that are similar in quality, as small as these cameras, for reasons we would soon explain.

Mirrorless cameras came around and have stayed around for more than a decade now. The first mirrorless camera was made in 2004. However, this type of camera only gained public recognition in 2008 when Panasonic made the first commercial mirrorless cameras. Ever since then, companies like Sony and Fujifilm have joined Panasonic in creating really good mirrorless cameras across all price points.

In times past, a lot of people have been very reluctant to migrate from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, for various reasons. However, in recent times, more people are reaching towards mirrorless cameras, especially because of their compact design and portability.

Another reason why more people who are trying to get digital cameras are often looking at mirrorless cameras is because there are a lot of new companies to look at, in the market. With this, you have a lot of options to pick from. This competition in the market is what makes producers of mirrorless cameras put their cameras at reasonable prices.

In DSLRs, most times, you are stuck between a Nikon and a Canon, and those things are expensive! Now that we’ve seen what mirrorless cameras are, let’s now go into the nitty gritty stuff, how they work.

How Do Mirrorless Cameras Work?

The major difference between DSLRs and mirrorless cameras is the mechanism with which they show the photographer the frame of his photos. In the DSLR, you have a mirror mechanism with a mirror and an optical prism, which sends the light to the optical viewfinder.

The light outside the camera enters to the camera through the camera’s lens. This light then hits a mirror. The mirror then sends the light two ways, one part of the light is sent to the prism. The prism then directs the light, horizontally, to the optical viewfinder.

With mirrorless cameras, there is not mirror and no prism. The light enters into the camera through the camera’s lens. It then hits an electronic sensor. This sensor converts the light to a digital image, and then transfers that image to the camera’s viewfinder or LCD screen.

This is why mirrorless cameras can be made smaller than equivalent DSLRs. Fitting in mirrors and prisms into the DSLR is what makes it heavier and bigger, and its absence in the mirrorless camera is what makes it smaller.

Why You Need A Mirrorless Camera

1. Continuous Shooting Is Better

When the shutter button is clicked on the DSLR, the mirror flips upwards. This is what allows light to hit the camera’s sensor directly, which allows the camera to capture the image. On a mirrorless camera, the light is always hitting the sensor. So, no movement occurs when the shutter button is clicked.

This mechanism on the DSLR is what makes it have fewer frames per second that mirrorless cameras. In a travel camera, this is important if you intend to take photos and videos of wildlife or any other active shots. When taking active shots, the continuous shooting rate of your camera is what determines how many frames you can catch per second, which is very important for how clear the images and videos will come out.

2. They’re Smaller

For a travel camera, this is the most important. If you’re a digital nomad, a tourist, or just somehow who loves to travel and have a good time, we’re sure you always want to travel light. This is not for when you’re packing your bags, it’s for when you get to your destination.

When you’re touring you want to have as little load as possible on you so you can actually enjoy the view and not have to worry so much about stuff you’re carrying. That’s exactly what a mirrorless camera gives you. It packs the same image quality of the DSLR in a smaller package, if that is not efficiency!

The Bad Side of Mirrorless Cameras

Mirrorless cameras come with one very evident downside, poor battery life. The poor battery life of mirrorless cameras is actually down to a few things:

1. Size

With the massive reduction in the size, mirrorless cameras had to also reduce the size of the batteries they use. For batteries, the smaller they become, they lesser capacity they have. And that is the case with mirrorless camera batteries.

2. Power Draining Features

Apart from the small batteries, another thing that makes the batteries in mirrorless cameras really bad are the power draining features that come with this camera type. Mirrorless cameras depend a lot on electronic features, while DSLRs depend more on mechanical features. Electronic features are a lot more power draining than mechanical features.

Features like the electronic viewfinder, the always-on sensor, and the processing power of these cameras, are a few examples. On the other hand, with a DSLR, you have an optical viewfinder that doesn’t need power, a sensor that only needs to come on when they shutter button is clicked, and not as powerful processing power.

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Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2
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Wireless Connectivity

Another common feature that you would find on these two cameras- Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 is the wireless connectivity feature. With this feature, your camera is able to interact with, and transfer files to other devices, wirelessly.

In this age we live in, this is super important. No one like to always have to carry wires everywhere they’re going, just to transfer files. Also, with this feature, you can immediately send an image to the internet, straight from your camera.

As a traveler, getting the perfectly edited photos might not be your top-most priority. Most times, travel photographers just want to share images of beautiful parts of the world, and with the wireless connectivity on your camera, you don’t need to send the pictures to another device to do that.

One difference between these two cameras- Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 in this particular feature is that the Sony a5100 comes with Near Field Communication (NFC), while the Fujifilm XA2 does not.

Near Field Communication is the feature that allows you pair your camera with compatible devices, and have them connect anytime they’re close to each other. With this feature, you don’t have to connect your camera with a compatible device (say, your smartphone), over and over again.

Built-in Flash

As if these cameras are not portable enough, both of them come with built-in flash. If you’ve not seen it in the other features, we’re sure this particular feature highlights the fact that both Sony and Fujifilm aimed to make these cameras- Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 as portable as possible.

With these cameras, you no longer have to carry an external flash wherever you go. In fact, the Sony a5100 does not come with an external flash shoe, which means that you cannot connect an external flash to that camera.

The built-in flash helps you to provide extra light for those laid back, night-time shots. Yes, you can increase ISO settings for that extra light, but sometimes, when the ISO gets too high, noise follows suite. We’re sure you don’t want a noisy photo.


RAW Support

Both of these cameras allow you to save RAW images. RAW is basically an image saving format, just like JPEG. However, unlike JPEG images saved in the RAW format are, well, raw. The reason this saving format is named that way is because it is an unedited, uncompressed, untouched version of the photo.

All digital cameras capture photos in this image format. However, not all cameras allow you to save the image in this format. Instead they edit the image, compress it, and then convert it to JPEG. These two cameras, Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2, allow you to save the image in this format.

RAW images, because they are untouched, often contain a lot more images than JPEG images. This gives you more room to play with, when you’re editing.

Face Detection Focus

This is as simple as it sounds. When there’s a face in the frame, it is focused on, automatically. It’s really good to give depth of field, for portrait photos.

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Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Features Unique To Each Camera

Now that we’ve seen all the features that both of these cameras come with, let’s look at the main reason why you’re here, the differences between Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2.

Features Unique To The Sony a5100

Touchscreen

The Sony a5100’s LCD screen comes with a touchscreen feature. Although, this might not seem like much at first, it will once you realize how much easier it is to navigate through your camera by simply touching the screen.

This touchscreen features allows you control and communicate with your camera the same you would interact with your smartphone, which is simply, intuitive. You get to settings and controls a lot faster, and you can even use the touchscreen to focus on any part of the frame easily.

Maximum Sensor Resolution: 24 Megapixels

This camera comes with 24 megapixels. Although the sensor resolution of a camera is not the only the thing that determines how good the camera is, it definitely goes a long way.

With a higher maximum sensor resolution, you can print larger pictures. The main aim of having larger maximum sensor resolution is that you have a lot more information on your images. With more information on your pictures, you can print larger pictures, zoom in on pictures, without the picture getting pixelated.

We’re sure at this point you definitely want to check out how this camera feels and works. Watch the video below for a proper look and feel of this phone:

Features Unique To The Fujifilm XA2

External Flash Shoe

This camera, the Fujifilm XA2, comes with an external flash shoe. With this, you can connect this camera to an external flash. This is really important, especially when the built-in flash does not produce as much as light as you want in certain low-light situations.

Watch the video below to find out more about this camera. You want more specifications, look at the controls, feel of the Wi-Fi and sample images? You need to watch the video below:

Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Unique Pros

Sony a5100

  • It comes with a touchscreen feature for easier navigation and controls.
  • The Sony a5100 comes with a maximum sensor resolution of 24 megapixels, which is 8 more than the Fujifilm XA2, which has just 16 megapixels.
  • This camera comes with a continuous shooting rate of 6.0 frames per second, which is 0.5 more than the Fujifilm XA2.
  • It has a weight of 283g, which is lighter than the Fujifilm XA2.
  • It comes with a Near Field Communication Feature that lets you connect to compatible devices, easily.

Fujifilm XA2

  • It comes with an external flash shoe. With this, you can connect to an external flash, for greater lights, when needed.
  • The Fujifilm XA2 is capable of shooting 10 more frames than the Sony a5100. It shoots 410 shots per full charge, while the Sony a5100 shoots 400 shots per full charge.
  • It is more affordable than the Sony a5100.

Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Unique Cons

Sony a5100

  • It does not come with an external flash shoe. You have to manage with the built-in flash, no matter the lighting situation.
  • It is slightly more affordable than the Fujifilm XA2.

Fujifilm XA2

  • It has a maximum sensor resolution of only 16 megapixels.
  • It has a weight of 350g, which is quite heavier than the Sony a5100.
  • No Near Field Communication Feature on this camera.
  • There is no touchscreen feature with this camera, you have to click buttons.

Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Common Pros

 

Sony a5100

Fujifilm XA2

Better Connectivity This camera comes with wireless connectivity feature. With this, you can easily transfer your files to other devices and even send files over the internet.  

One difference between these two cameras, though, is that this one comes with NFC. This is what this camera uses to connect to your smartphone. It connects to compatible devices, once they are close-by.
This camera comes with better connectivity. However, it does not come with Near Field Communication.
Shoot From Awkward Positions This camera comes with articulating or tilting screens. With this, you can shoot from awkward angles while still looking at your frame from with the LCD screen. Same as the Sony a5100.
Built-in Flash Both of these cameras come with built-in flash. This helps with portability, as with these cameras, you do not need to carry an external flash everywhere you go.  

You can easily use a built-in flash when necessary, in low-light situations.
Same as the Sony a5100.
High Image Quality These cameras allow you to save your images in their RAW format. Saving images in their RAW format, you get images that are clearer, sharper, and contain a lot more information.  

With the information present on these images, you can easily edit it into what you want, before saving it in JPEG by yourself.
Same as the Sony a5100.
Face Detection Focus These cameras automatically focus on a face once it is the frame. Same as the Sony a5100.
Remote Control Using Your Smartphone With the NFC feature on this camera, you can control your camera, using your smartphone as its remote control. You can also control this camera using your smartphone as a remote control. However, it is not with the NFC feature, but with an application.
     
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Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – Common Cons

 

Sony a5100

Fujifilm XA2

No image stabilization Being that this is a feature that you can get even in flagship smartphones, it’s quite sad that neither of these travel cameras come with this feature.  

Also, it is important to point out that as a traveler, you would be moving most of the time. These movements also affect the camera, and however small, create blurry and shaky images.  

To prevent this blurriness, manufacturers add image stabilization to their cameras. However, since neither of these cameras come with image stabilization, you have to be super still when taking photos, so they do not come out blurry and shaky.
This also does not come with built-in image stabilization.
No Viewfinder Using either of these cameras- Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 indoors is super fine. However, once you step out of the shade, it depends on the weather.  

Once the sun is out, it becomes really difficult to use the LCD screen on this camera because of how reflective the glass is.  

This is when you begin to wish you had a viewfinder. With a viewfinder, you can frame images properly no matter the lighting situation of the area.
Same as the Sony a5100, you have to manage with the LCD screen.
Environmental Sealing Moving away from the sun and into the rain, it’s still pretty difficult to shoot with these cameras.  

They do not come with an environmental sealing feature. With an environmental sealing feature, it would’ve been possible to use the cameras when it’s rainy or windy.  

However, as sad as it sounds, neither of these cameras come with either moisture or dust resistance, which means that you have to get in once the weather changes up.
Same as the Sony a5100.
No Bluetooth Neither of these cameras provide Bluetooth connectivity. With Bluetooth connectivity, it would have been a whole lot faster to connect to, and transfer files to other devices that also come with Bluetooth connectivity. Same as the Sony a5100.
No Sound Recording While you can video the wonderful sceneries you visit during your travel, it is quite sad that you can also record the accompanying audio.  

Neither of these cameras come with a headphone jack, or a microphone jack. Although you can record audio straight into the camera, it’s not really clear.

Without these features, you can’t record high-quality audio with an external microphone.
Same as the Sony a5100.
     

Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – General Feeling Amongst Users

Sony a5100

Fujifilm XA2

Because this is a travel camera, it is no surprise that most of the people who bought this camera used it for that purpose. And well, it served that purpose really well.  

The first thing people really recognized and immediately loved about this camera is how light and portable it is.  

This camera is one of those that you can simply hang over your wrist while you’re enjoying the beautiful view. Because it’s so small, you can take it everywhere you go, which is simply every traveler’s dream!
Travelers really liked this camera, also because of its portability. Apart from travel photographers, vloggers also enjoyed this camera (well, we guess that vloggers can be called mini-travelers, lol).  

Vloggers love the camera because of how easy it is to carry around with them all day. You no longer have to feel the weight of carrying your DSLR with you everywhere just to get the perfect shot.  

Also, we’re sure you don’t want to be that guy that carries the weird camera bag everywhere when he’s not a professional photographer.
The touchscreen feature on this camera is something that a lot of people do not forget to comment on.  
Not just the touchscreen feature, though, but the overall ease of use for this camera. This includes the touchscreen feature, the Wi-Fi feature, and a lot more.  

With the touchscreen feature, it’s really easy to get right into the settings and edit things however you want.
Although this camera does not come with a touchscreen feature, it is definitely not hard to navigate through.  

People who used this camera commended the tactile functionality of the camera. With this camera, you get a lot of buttons.  

Once you get used to these features, you might never even have a reason to get into the camera’s settings. You’ll be able to control everything from outside.
The pure black look of this camera is something that got mixed reactions. Some people liked it because it had a professional look and feel, others felt it was boring and could’ve been more adventurous. The flip side can be said for this camera, really. It comes with a really nice vintage design and look, pretty classy.  

However, some people would rather have the professional black look that we have grown accustomed to with cameras.
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Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2 – What Do We Think?

Picking between two cameras is always difficult, even for us. Most of the time, picking one comes down to personal preferences, including picking one between Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2.

However, after looking, thoroughly, at all the features that these two cameras- Sony a5100 Vs Fujifilm XA2, possess, we have to say that the Sony a5100 just does better for us.

Why? Well, it has a higher maximum sensor resolution, which creates sharper images for larger prints. It also has a wider ISO range for low-lighting situations, and is lighter than the Fujifilm XA2. However, one could also argue that the Fujifilm XA2 is more affordable and comes with an external flash shoe for low-light situations. But we’ve made our decision, and now it’s time to make yours!

Sony a5100

Fujifilm XA2

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